Minifigure heads on the Lego production line in Billund, Denmark, where two million Lego pieces are made every hour. This machine, one of several similar ones in the factory, can paint different expressions on each side of the heads.

The Billund factory’s ‘Cathedral’ warehouse, which is ‘manned’ by eight robots and 15 automatic cranes.

Minifigures are assembled on the production line.

Left: The Toy Story characters; and a virtual Buzz Lightyear – the lines in the background indicate brick size.

Lego heads in the painting machine.

One of the 12 production ‘legs’ in the factory – the finished Lego pieces are stored in the Cathedral.

Left: A large minifigure welcomes visitors to the ‘Idea House’; and completed products on display.